The National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it will oppose the attempt by the Electoral Commission (EC) to use only the Ghana Card to register prospective voters going forward.

The party insists such a move will disenfranchise many Ghanaians. 

This has compelled the NDC to describe the decision as “absurd”.

“The NDC will fully apprise the general public of the implications of the statements made by the Electoral Commission in the coming days on this absurd and unreasonable decision of the EC, it said in a press release issued on Friday, August 5, under the signature of its National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo. 

The main opposition party in the country said it will not agree to any decision that seeks to constrict access to the electoral roll. 

“In the meantime, the party wishes to use this opportunity to remind the Electoral Commission that under Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution, every Ghanaian of eighteen years and above and of sound mind is entitled to register as a voter for the purposes of elections. This right to register and exercise one’s franchise is an inalienable right that should not be denied citizens who qualify to exercise same.”

“Article 45(e) of the Constitution enjoins the Electoral Commission to undertake programmes for the expansion of the registration of voters,” the party said.

Meanwhile, a former Chairperson for the Commission has advised the outfit against the move.

Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, also argued that millions of qualified electorates will be disenfranchised by the decision.

"Ghanaian citizens don’t lose their citizenship if they are 18 years or older but do not have the Ghana Card. So, the moot question is: why make the Ghana Card the only means of identification for purposes of establishing eligibility to register to vote,” he queried in an interview with Graphic Online. 

Background 

In July, the EC placed before Parliament a draft C.I titled: Public Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2021, which is expected to regulate continuous voter registration.

Per the new C.I, the EC is seeking to make the Ghana Card the sole form of identification for eligible voters who want to get onto the electoral roll.

The C.I has been referred to the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of Parliament. By convention, the committee is chaired by a member of the Minority group.